Pastor Lowell Michelson has been talking to people about Jesus all of his life, but has been professionally telling God's story for twenty plus years.
As a "P.K." (pastor's kid), Lowell spent his childhood hanging out in the back pews of churches in Northeastern Ohio, where he grew up.
He received an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH).

After serving as a youth director in St. Paul, MN and a traveling musician across the U.S. and Germany, he packed up his drumsticks and followed God's call to be a pastor.Lowell continued his studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Columbus, OH).His pastoral education included ministry with Lutheran Campus Ministry at The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH) and Resurrection Lutheran Church (Portland, OR).

Lowell came to Reformation after serving with the good folks of St. Paul Lutheran Church (Davenport, IA).
While there, Lowell was blessed to be a part of the Transition into Ministry pastoral residency program, sponsored by the prestigious Lilly Endowment .

Lowell still finds time to play music.
He and his wife Tera are parents to three young kiddos.

"Everybody there was not on the same page on this issue," the new pastor, Lowell Michelson, said in an interview.

...

His wife was in the sanctuary where Pastor Michelson, beating a darbuka drum, was midway through an African song called "Celebrate the Journey!"

Pastor Michelson heard a sharp noise but thought it was probably a child dropping a hymnal.

...

Pastor Michelson heard someone say a gunman - later identified by the police as Mr. Roeder - had fled.

...

Outside, Pastor Michelson greeted families with hugs.
"There was no way I was going to hide inside," he later said.

...

In his sermon, Pastor Michelson openly acknowledged his own apprehensions.
"Our sanctuary has been violated," he said.
He urged his congregation to rise above fear and anger, and took note of the supportive letters and e-mail messages from churches all over the country.

The nation now knows of Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas.
The murder of Dr. George Tiller has been a "crucible moment" for Pastor Lowell Michelson, Associate Pastor Kristin Neitzel, and the congregation.

...

"It has been intense pain for the congregation and also personally," reflects Lowell.

...

Since Pastor Lowell arrived a year ago, he has sensed that Reformation is "primed and ready for the next chapter.

In the chaos of crisis, Lowell has not forgotten the importance of interpersonal communication.

...

"The attentiveness to people is what it's about," reflects Lowell.
"I think that's why St. Paul is such a thriving place.
People reach out because they see the leadership doing it.
I hope to embody that.
And I hope it catches on with others."

Signing off from a Thursday-afternoon chat, Pastor Lowell added: "Tell everyone thank you for the endless thoughts and prayers."